How did the reintroduction of wolves impact the tree population in the park Yellowstone?
The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park had a significant impact on the tree population. Prior to the reintroduction of wolves in 1995, the elk population in the park had grown to unsustainable levels due to the absence of their natural predator. This led to overgrazing of vegetation, particularly willow and aspen trees, by elk.
With the reintroduction of wolves, the elk population was reduced as wolves preyed on them. As a result, the browsing pressure on willow and aspen trees decreased, allowing these tree species to regenerate and grow. This, in turn, led to increased biodiversity in the park, as the growth of willow and aspen trees provided habitat for a variety of other species, including songbirds, beavers, and insects.
Overall, the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone helped to restore balance to the ecosystem by controlling the elk population and allowing the tree population to recover and thrive.